i dont know how many of you had this happen, but today i went out to start my old freightliner fld, and it cranked kinda slow and plus it was cold out, it didnt start right away so i let off the button, and what do ya know! the starter stayed engaged! i even shut the key off and it kept cranking. By the time i got to the batterys, the starter was junked out. anyways.....not sure what caused this, but i figuer since i am gonna replace the starter and clean all the cable ends, i might as well put a new relay on.

my question is, is there only the one relay on the drivers side firewall under the wiper motor? anyone know what part number or better relay would be. i have a feeling this might have been what caused it. just curious if there is a better or updated relay......thanks guys.

common up here in the north. mostly on ag tractors if the batteries are not fully charged and starter needs a lot of amps it will fry the button in the starter soleniod to the input post. if it is super cold you should have a disconnect or a wrench to unhook the cables. have fryed a few starters up here. dale

There are two magnetic switches that could stick there is the low amperage one on the firewall and there is the mag switch on the starter. You can test them if you disconnected the battery's, or if the starer is truly fried you just replace the complete set up. Starter and mag switch.
I could see smashing the mag switch on the firewall but hitting the starter, that can cost you a core. Also it will not release welded contacts.

i hear ya les. I was waiting for ya to weight in on this cause i know ya run a fld and i knew ya had for a while. this is the only one i have ever had, so i am not up to date on all the little details about the wiring on these freightliners.

so what do ya think. solenoid on the starter then. id say the ol starter was on its way out. i believe it was the original one. Thanks for the info LES!!!

thanks for the info JOHN. yeah i had the starter tested, its drawing alot of amps, so its time for a new one anyways i guess.....i am gonna replace the solenoid on the firewall too just to get it out of the way so i know what i got being that winter is here.

jbstar, what do ya think on the low voltage to the starter or solenoid situation. what would normally cause this to happen. i guess after hearing all this, i better check all my wiring coming up to the engine from the batt. box. Is there anyway the solenoid on the fire wall could have caused it, or just bad connection at the main starter wires or what?

I spent 13.5 years working in Edmonton, While you have the batteries disconnected put each one separately on a regulated charger, clean all connections, grounds, cab leg ground especially. Test the batteries separately, How did I do jbstar.
When you get it together test the cables, and connections, with a voltage drop test. after it has run for a while test that you have at least 13.8 volts at each battery. I use to run an extra ground cable from the right frame rail to the alternator. #8 works #4 is better. Just a thought!

it is always a good idea if it is below 0* farenheit and you are going to try and start anything with any kind of delco starter is to have a disconnect plan thought out ahead of time. it is more common than you think to have a starter stick and keep spinning if the motor doesn't fire. have burnt up more than a few starters. dale